Below is a list of the top high school baseball players to watch in Illinois for 2012. The list includes players that made All-State teams, nominated by their head coach or another coach or who were reported as signing or committing in the fall to a college team.
P Aaron Michel, St. Teresa
C Adam McGinnis, Normal West
IF Adam Walton, Stevenson
P/OF Alex Jefferson, Normal West
LHP Alex Young, Carmel Catholic
P Anton Schrader, Dee-Mack
IF Benjamin Tabb, Kenwood Academy
C Blake Hickman, Simeon
P Booby Kuntzendorf, Aurora Christian
OF Brady Wilkin, Providence Catholic
P Brandon Magallones, Providence Catholic
IF Brett Chappell, Rock Falls
P Brett Lick, Marian Catholic
IF Brian Sisler, Dekalb
OF Cannance King, Harlan Academy
C Chris Hall, New Trier
IF Danny Seiton, Batavia
IF Devin Pickett, Marian Catholic
P Eddie Delavira, St. Rita of Cascia
P Eric Scheuermann, Palatine
OF Jack Czeszewski, Elk Grove
IF Jack Landwehr, Prospect
C Jack Picchiotti, Oak Park River Forest
IF Jacob Stewart, Mt. Zion
IF Jake Walters, St. John Vianney
IF Jalen-Romell Parks, Kenwood Academy
C Jason Goldstein, Highland Park
C Johnny Zubek, Oak Forest
P Jon Kunpfert, Peoria Notre Dame
P Jordan Crawford, Evanston
P/IF Jordan Ruckman, Herscher
C Keith Lehmann, Lyons
P Kevin Duchene, Joliet Catholic
P Kevin Elder, Westminster Christian
IF Kevin Ross, Niles West
P Kyle Funkhouser, Oak Forest
IF/OF Matt Buck, Peoria Notre Dame
P Matt James, Normal West
P Matt Scholtz, Oswego East
P Mike Lutz, Lake Zurich
OF Mitch Holtz, Aurora Christian
P Nick Altobella, St. Laurence
P Nick Blackburn, Nequa Valley
P Nick Hedge, New Trier
P Nick McCarty, Catherdral
IF Nick Roscetti, Williamsville
P Patrick Bellinger, Schaumburg
P Peter Resnick, Glenbrook North
P Robby Nunn, Marian Catholic
P Ryan Borucki, Mundelein
IF Ryan Broucki, Fenwick
IF/P Ryan Koziol, Providence Catholic - transfer from Brother Rice
OF/IF Ryan Nagle, Streator
P Ryan Olson, Newman Central Catholic
RHP/LHP Ryan Perez, Westminster Christian
IF Ryne Roper, Harrisburg
IF Sam Kint, Mount Carmel
P Scott Thomas, St. Rita of Cascia
OF Shane Brown, Simeon
IF Stephano Belmonte, St. Rita of Cascia
IF Steve Hellenbach, Lyons
P/OF Sully Stadler, Glenbrook South
IF Tommy Hook, Lockport
P Tyler Jay, Lemont
IF/P Tyler Leffler, Benton
P Tyler McGowan, Harrisburg
IF Wes Sery, Normal West
C Zach Little, Washington
C/IF Zach Soria, St. Rita of Cascia
C Zach Stoner, Rockford Boylan
OF/P Zak Kutsulis, Providence Catholic
Left handed pitcher Talor Eikenberry has been named as one of the top 50 prospects in NAIA baseball for the 2012 preseason by Perfect Game USA in their 2012 NAIA preview.
Eikenberry is currently at Union College in Kentucky and transferred from Iowa Western Community College. Taylor is from Rock Falls Illinois.
Eikenberry originally committed to Baylor out of High School but wound up having Tommy John surgery and wound up at Iowa Western Community College. After his sophomore year at Western, Taylor committed to NC State but wound up at Union College, an NAIA school in Kentucky.
The top baseball players from Illinois to watch this year in the Southeastern Conference.
RHP Ian Gardeck, transfer from Angelina College and is from Lake in the Hills Illinois. Ian was the 8th round pick by the Chicago White Sox in the 2011 MLB Draft.
RHP/Relief Pitcher Brett Huber, Ole Miss, Brett attended Althoff Catholic HS and lives in Belleville Illinois. Huber went 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 4 saves last season.
Here is the list of the top baseball players to watch from Illinois for 2012 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Projected Relief Pitcher of the Year:
Kenny Long, Illinois State, Kenny is from Dundee Crown HS and lives in Fox River Grove Illinois. Long set the ISU record with 15 career saves, went 4-1 with a .092 ERA last season.
Projected Player of the Year:
1B Chris Serritella, Southern Illinois Carbondale, Chris attended Loyola Academy and lives in Glenview Illinois. Chris redshirted in 2011 but was drafted anyway by the Royals in the 31st round.
Top Players to Watch:
OF Kevin Hall, Wichita State, Kevin is from Glenwood HS and lives in Springfield Illinois. Kevin hit .254 with 3 homers, 13 doubles and stole 24 bases last season.
SS Alex Staehely, Creighton, Alex attended Benet Academy and lives in Sugar Grove Illinois. Staehley hit .285 with 3 homers, 23 doubles and 36 rbi's in 2011.
2B Kevin Tokarski, Illinois State, Kevin went to Downers Grove North HS and lives in Downers Grove Illinois. Tokarski hit .282 with 3 homers, 30 rbi's and stole 25 bases last season.
Catcher Matt Mirabal, Illinois State, Matt is from Mount Carmel HS and lives in Chicago Illinois. Mirabal hit .247 with 6 doubles and 25 rbi's last season.
Pitcher Chris Razo, Illinois State, Razo is a transfer from Heartland and lives in Chillicothe Ilinois. Chris was the pitcher of the year at Heartland.
Pitcher Otto Roberts, Illinois State, Otto is a transfer from Southwestern Illinois and lives in Belleville Illinois.
Outfielder Jordan Siversten, Southern Illinois, Jordan is from Carmel Catholic and lives in Richmond Illinois. Siversten hit .297 with 9 homers, 16 doubles and 48 rbi's in 2011.
Outfielder Nick Johnson, Southern Illinois, Nick attended O'Fallon HS and lives in O'Fallon Illinois. Johnson hit .271 with 4 homers, 8 doubles and 38 rbi's last season.
LHP Cody Forsythe, Southern Illinois, Cody is from Calvert City KY.
LHP Nathan Dorris, Southern Illinois, Nathan is a transfer from Rend Lake CC and lives in Marion Illinois.
RHP Dakota Bacus, Indiana State, Dakota is a transfer from Southeastern CC, attended Moline HS and lives in Moline Illinois.
RHP Sam Johns, Evansville, Sam attended Civic Memorial HS and lives in Bethalto Illinois. Sam was injured in 2011.
SS Jason Leblebijian, Bradley, Jason is from Prospect HS and lives in Arlington Hts. Illinois. Jason Hit .315 with 14 doubles last season.
2B Rob Elliott, Bradley, Rob attended Nequa Valley HS and lives in Naperville Illinois. Elliott hit .276 with 4 homers, 21 rbi's and stole 28 bags last year.
LHP Joe Bircher, Bradley, Joe is from Omaha NE.
RHP John Nasshan, Bradley, John is from Niles West HS and lives in Niles Illinois. Nasshan went 3-8 with a 4.55 ERA last season.
The top baseball players from Illinois and projected finish of Illinois teams in the Summit League for 2012. The list is based on how the conference coaches voted in their preseason polls.
Western Illinois is projected to finish 2nd behind Oral Roberts.
Top Players from Illinois:
LHP/DH Rich Mascheri, Western Illinois, Rich is a transfer from College of Lake County, attended Wauconda HS and lives in Wauconda Illinois. Mascheri redshirted in 2011 but hit .385 last summer and was a West Coast League All-Star.
Catcher Manny Reyes, Western Illinois, Manny is from Santa Monica California.
Shortstop Austin Cowen, Western Illinois, Austin is from Gillette Wyoming.
Outfielder Matt Igara, Western Illinois, Matt is a transfer from Heartland, attended Jacobs HS and lives in Algonquin Illinois. Igara hit .317 with 4 homers and 19 doubles last season.
First baseman Tom Lilja, Western Illinois, Tom is from Lincoln-Way East HS and lives in Mokena Illinois. Lilja hit .281 with 11 homers 8 doubles and 43 rbi's in 2011.
The top baseball players to watch from Illinois in the Ohio Valley Conference for the 2012 season.
SS Kenton Parmley, Southeast Missouri State, went to Goreville HS and lives in Goreville Illinois. - Parmley hit .308 with 5 homers, 17 doubles and 30 rbi's last season.
3B Zach Hawkins, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Zach attended Pinckneyville HS and lives in Pinckneyville Illinois. Hawkins hit .345 with 3 homers, 12 doubles and 44 rbi's in 2011.
OF Devin Caldwell, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Devin went to Civic Memorial HS and lives in Cottage Hills Illinois. Caldwell hit .314 with 6 homers, 16 doubles and 53 rbi's last season.
RHP Travis Felax, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Travis attended Triad HS and lives in Troy Illinois. Travis went 5-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 2011.
NCAA Division III top baseball players to watch from Illinois D3 teams in 2012 as selected by Division III coaches across the U.S.
Left Handed Pitchers:
Kevin Crowley from Illinois Benedictine - Kevin went 4-0 with a 3.49 ERA in 2011.
Nick Mehn, Illinois Wesleyan - Nick was 7-2 with a 3.56 ERA in nine starts last season.
Nick Soldano and Steve Kuligowski from North Park, Nick was 5-1 with a 3.91 ERA and Steve went 7-3 with a 3.38 ERA in 2011.
Right Handed Pitchers:
Drey Gay, Aurora - Drew went 7-3 with a 2.84 ERA in 79 1/3 innings last season.
Joe Sweeney, Illinois Wesleyan - Joe was 6-5 with 3.33 ERA in 78 1/3 innings in 2011.
Catchers:
AJ Nathan, Illinois Wesleyan - Nathan hit .321 with 2 homers, 10 doubles and 67 rbi's last season.
Tom Higgins, Illinois Benedictine - Tom hit .317 with 7 doubles and 50 rbi's in 2011.
First Baseman:
Brett Van Asdlen, Aurora - Brett hit 6 homers while batting .292 with 46 rbi's last season.
Kevin Callahan, Illinois Wesleyan - Kevin hit .398 with 15 home runs, 11 doubles and 51 rbi's in 2011.
Tim Gindville, Illinois Benedictine - Tim hit .290 with 5 doubles and 24 rbi's last year.
Second Baseman:
Brian Evans, Elmhurst College - Brian hit .319 with 7 doubles in 2011.
Third Baseman:
Ryan Javech, North Park - Ryan only played in 4 games in 2011 and hit .118.
Jon Erickson, Illinois Wesleyan - Jon hit .368 with 11 doubles and 24 rbi's in 2011.
Tim Mackey, Aurora - Tim hit .357 with 7 doubles, 2 triples and 27 rbi's last season.
Shortstops:
Zach Hofer, Elmhurst - Zach hit .372 with 4 homers, 14 doubles and 34 rbi's in 2011.
Outfielders:
Josh Davidson, Aurora - Josh hit .429 with 3 homers, 2 triples and 35 rbi's last season.
Justin Zeller, Wheaton College - Justin hit .355 with 9 homers, 11 doubles, 3 triples and 36 rbi's in 2011.
Kevin Hendricks, Illinois Benedictine - Kevin hit .386 with 3 homers, 11 doubles and 44 rbi's last season.
Mike Foley, Aurora - Foley hit .362 with 4 homers, 6 triples and 14 doubles in 2011.
Ryan Adams, Aurora - Ryan hit .369 with 3 homers, 9 doubles and 36 rbi's last season.
Designated Hitters and Multi-Position Players:
Austin Driggers, Wheaton College - Austin hit .353 with 2 homers, 11 doubles and 43 rbi's in 2011.
Bobby Czarnowski, Illinois Wesleyan - Bobby hit .315 with 5 homers, 6 doubles and 29 rbi's last season.
Brad Medina, North Park - Brad hit .329 with 8 homers, 4 doubles and 24 rbi's in 2011.
Trey Martin, Wheaton College - Trey hit .362 with 8 homers, 11 doubles and 36 rbi's at the plate and went 4-5 with a 2.93 ERA in 73 2/3 innings last season.
Listed are the top 10 returning 2011 NJCAA Division II players for Region 24 in Illinois. Players are sorted by batting average.
1. Infielder Ethan Westart, Illinois Central College, .454 batting average, 10 home runs, 52 rbi's. Ethan is from Brimfield High School and lives in Brimfield IL.
2. 1B Bobby Butvin, Lewis & Clark Community College, .450 batting average, 6 homers, 45 rbi's. Bobby lives in Mantua OH.
3. Outfielder Rennie Troggio, Danville Area Community College, .395 batting average, 2 homers, 32 rbi's, 27 stolen bases. Rennie lives in Lafayette IN.
4. Catcher Brent Kuper, Parkland College, .388 batting average, 2 home runs, 23 rbi's. Brent is from Highland High School and lives in Highland IL.
5. Outfielder Zac Zellers, Heartland Community College, .387 batting average, 13 home runs, 64 rbi's, 14 stolen bases. Zac lives in Fenton MO.
6. 1B Bobby Hansen, Danville Area Community College, .385 batting average, 4 homers, 52 rbi's. Bobby if from Plainfield South High School and lives in Joliet IL.
7. Utility player Kevin Dooley, Spoon River College, .382 batting average, 6 homers, 26 rbi's. Kevin lives in Normal IL.
8. Outfielder Joe Williams, John Wood Community College, .370 batting average, 4 homers, 50 rbi's, 17 stolen bases. Joe lives in Kirksville MO.
9. Shortstop Chaser Tood, Lincoln Land Community College, .364 batting average, 9 home runs, 41 rbi's. Chaser is from Jacksonville High School and lives in Jacksonville IL.
10. Infielder Zac Johnson, Heartland Community College, .358 batting average, 6 homers, 47 rbi's. Zac is from Normal Community High School and lives in Bloomington IL.
Listed are the 2011 top players to watch in the Summit League who are from Illinois teams or live in Illinois. The list is based on how conference coaches voted in a pre-season poll.
Top Players To Watch in 2011:
RHP - Garrett Bolt, Western Illinois University, transfer from Muskegon Community College, Garrett lives in Wheeler MI.
RHP - Zach Sterling, Western Illinois University, transfer from Onley Central College, Zach lives in Lima OH.
OF - Ryan Cowhey, Western Illinois University, transfer from Oakton Community College, attended Carl Sandburg High School and lives in Orland Park IL.
C - John Koszulinski, Western Illinois University, .354 batting average, 6 home runs, 49 rbi's last season. John is from Lincoln Way East High School and lives in Frankfort IL.
3B - Bryan Jordan, Western Illinois University, .308 batting average, 9 home runs, 18 doubles and 35 rbi's in 2010. Bryan is a transfer from Black Hawk College and lives in Cincinnati OH.
C/OF - Brett Clark, IUPU Ft. Wayne, transfer from South Suburban College, .340 batting average, 3 homers, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 25 rbi's last season. Brett lives in St. John IN.
OF - Kurt Dudley, IUPU Ft. Wayne, transfer from Springfield College, .284 batting average, 6 home runs, 9 doubles, 2 triples and 32 rbi's last season. Kurt attended Auburn High School and lives in Auburn IL.
Top baseball teams and baseball players from Illinois in the Missouri Valley Conference based on how coaches voted in a pre-season poll.
Missouri Valley Pre-Season Poll:
#1. Wichita State
#2. Illinois State
#3. Indiana State
#4. Southern Illinois
#5. Evansville
#6. Creighton
#7. Bradley
#8. Missouri State
Projected Player of the Year:
Red-Shirt Junior Kevin Tokarski, Illinois State University, .412 batting average, 8 home runs, 25 doubles, 53 rbi's, 33 stolen bases. Kevin attended Downers Grove North High School and lives in Downers Grove IL.
Top Players to Watch:
Catcher Matt Mirabal, Illinois State University, .323 batting average, 4 home runs, 14 doubles, 42 rbi's. Matt is from Mt. Carmel High School and lives in Chicago IL.
3B Ryan Court, Illinois State University, .295 batting average, 10 home runs, 14 doubles, 49 rbi's. Ryan is from Dundee-Crown High School and lives in Sleepy Hollow IL.
Right handed pitcher Corey Maines, Illinois State University, 6 wins 3 losses, 4.60 ERA, 67 strikeouts. Corey lives in Houston TX.
Left handed pitcher Kenny Long, Illinois State University, 4 wins 4 losses, 9 saves, 1.38 ERA, 74 strikeouts. Kenny is from Dundee-Crown High School and lives in Fox River Grove IL.
1B Chris Serritella, Southern Illinois University, .374 batting average, 13 home runs, 19 doubles, 64 rbi's. Chris attended Loyola Academy and lives in Glenview IL.
Outfielder Chris Murphy, Southern Illinois University, .320 batting average, 1 home run, 16 doubles, 31 rbi's, 11 stolen bases. Chris is from Sewickley PA.
Right handed pitcher Cameron Maldonado, Southern Illinois University. Cameron is a transfer from Seward County Junior College.
Right handed pitcher Sam Johns, University of Evansville, 5 wins 4 losses, 5.71 ERA, 54 strikeouts. Sam attended Civic Memorial High School and lives in Bethalto IL.
Outfielder Aaron Conway, Missouri State University, .278 batting average, 7 home runs, 7 doubles, 23 rbi's, 24 stolen bases. Aaron is from Triad High School and lives in Edwardsville IL.
Top baseball players in the Mid-American Conference based on how the conference coaches voted in the pre-season polls. Listed below are the players from Illinois or athletes who play on Illinois teams.
Top Players to Watch:
Outfielder Bryce Redeker, Miami of Ohio, medical redshirt in 2010, Kankakee Community College, Bishop McNamara, lives in Watseka IL.
Infielder Troy White, Northern Illinois University, .289 batting average, 5 doubles, 30 rbi's. Troy is from Whitney Young High School and lives in Chicago IL.
Right handed pitcher Jeremy Gonzales, Northern Illinois University, 4-4 with a 4.30 ERA, 59 strikeouts last season. Jeremy lives in Bakersfield CA.
Right handed pitcher Brian Stroud, Western Michigan University, medical redshirt in 2010. Brian attended Providence Catholic High School and lives in Joliet IL.
Infielder/DH Ryan McMillin, Western Michigan University, .323 batting average, 5 home runs, 8 doubles, 25 rbi's. Ryan is from Lyons Township High School and lives in LaGrange IL.
Listed below are the top baseball players and players to watch in the Horizon League who live in Illinois or on an Illinois team. The list is based on how the conference coaches voted in a special pre-season poll.
Projected Player of the Year:
Outfielder Kyle Gaedele, Valparaiso University, .373 batting average, 19 doubles, 7 home runs, 63 rbi's and 17 stolen bases. Kyle is from Rolling Meadows High School and lives in Arlington Heights IL.
Other Top Players to Watch in 2011:
Outfielder Steve McGuiggan, University of Illinois Chicago, .355 batting average, 6 home runs, 19 doubles, 19 stolen bases. Steve lives in Apple Valley MN.
2B Matt Serna, University of Illinois Chicago, .379 batting average, 2 home runs, 17 doubles, 49 rbi's. Matt attended Lincoln College, went to Rolling Meadows High School and lives in Arlington Heights IL.
3B Jason Ganek, University of Illinois Chicago, .342 batting average, 5 home runs, 16 doubles and 45 rbi's. Jason is from Hersey High School and lives in Mt. Prospect IL.
3B Grant Fillipitch, Butler University, .322 batting average, 6 home runs, 40 rbi's. Grant attended Lyons Township High School and lives in LaGrange Park IL.
Outfielder Cory Moylan, Butler University, .369 batting average, 15 doubles, 37 rbi's. Cory is a transfer from Vermont, (which dropped their baseball program) attended Glenbrook South High School and lives in Glenview IL.
Defending Division III National Champion Illinois Wesleyan top returning players for 2011:
C - Mark McDermott - .363 BA, 14 doubles, 37 rbi's, Andrew High School, lives in Tinley Park IL.
3B - Jeff Grodecki - .345 BA, 14 doubles, 45 rbi's, Glenbrook South High School, lives in Glenview IL.
OF - Ryan Hopp - .340 BA, 10 doubles, 10 stolen bases, Hinsdale South High School, lives in Darien, IL
SS - Zach Scott - .263 BA, 33 rbi's, St. Charles East High School, lives in St. Charles IL.
OF - Kevin Sullivan - .290 BA, 7 doubles, 3 homers, Highland Park High School, lives in Highland Park IL
1B - Kevin Callahan - .286 BA, 2 homers, 19 rbi's, Brother Rice High School, lives in Chicago IL.
INF - Anthony Lopez - .245 BA, started 32 games as a Freshman, Naperville Central High School, lives in Bolingbrook, IL
RHP - Jason Pankau - 11-2, 2.60 ERA, 3rd Team D3 Baseball All-American, York High School, lives in Elmhurst IL
RHP - Joe Sweeney - 4-2, 5.40 ERA, Fenwick High School, lives in Chicago, IL
LHP - Nick Mehn - 2.40 ERA, 15 IP, 14 strikeouts, Limestone High School, lives in Peoria IL.
Head Coach: Dennis Martel - 595-368 with Illinois Wesleyan.
Here are the top players to watch in the Big East Conference who are from Illinois. The players are chosen by the Big East Conference coaches in a pre-season poll.
RHP Tony Zych, Louisville, St. Rita High School, Monee, IL, 5-2, 5.13 ERA, 50 K's.
SS Mick Doyle, Notre Dame, Benet Academy, LaGrange Park, IL, .228 BA, 5 HR, 13 doubles, 29 rbi's.
LF/2B Dain Hall, Villanova, Barrington High School, Barrington, IL, .328 BA, 1 HR, 9 doubles, 36 rbi's, 17 stolen bases.
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| Harold Riggins |
Listed below are the top baseball players in the ACC for 2011 from the state of Illinois. The projected top players are based on the ACC coaches pre-season votes.
Infielder Harlod Riggins, North Carolina State University, Normal West High School, lives in Normal IL. .331 batting average, 12 home runs, 11 doubles and 44 rbi's.
Baseball in Illinois News
Bradley University junior pitcher Patrick Cooper has been ranked 48th in the nation among college baseball juniors that are eligible for the 2010 MLB draft by Baseball America. Baseball America also named Cooper as the top prospect in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Baseball in Illinois News
The NJCAA partnered with Perfect Game USA released it's pre-season top returning players for 2010. Below are the top returning players from Division I NJCAA Illinois teams.
Division I
Northern District
Pitchers:
Ryan Kruse - Kishwaukee College
David Sindewald - South Suburban College
Mike Gaffigan - Triton College
Cale Wine - John A. Logan College
Adam Clark - Lincoln Trail College
Patrick Flanagan - Rend Lake College
Tomas Rodriguez - Rend Lake College
Chris Goins - Southeastern Illinois College
Trey Burris - Southwestern Illinois College
Ryan Rogers - Wabash Valley College
Position Players:
Anthony Even - Kaskaskia College
Zach O'Neal - Kishwaukee College
Sam Urso - Kishwaukee College
James Dawson - South Suburban College
Mike Bolling - Triton College
Jack Valadka - Trition College
Mike Hein - Southwestern Illinois College
Lucas Hileman - John A. Logan College
Derek Mattea - John A. Logan College
Ben Mehl - Lake Land College
Marshall Creed - Lake Land College
Trevor Buford - Lake Land College
Jimmy Brenneman - Lincoln Trail College
Travis Isaak - Lincoln Trail College
Kyle Kolat - Lincoln Trail College
Raymond Fuentes - Rend Lake College
Zach Elliot - Rend Lake College
Sean Sullivan - Southeastern Illinois College
Houston Ramsey - Southeastern Illinois College
Mike Moore - Southwestern Illinois College
Dusty Dineen - Southwestern Illinois College
Brett Erlinger - Southwestern Illinois College
Michael Mosby - Wabash Valley College
Jacob Rhodes - Wabash Valley College
Dom Spadafora - Wabash Valley College
